Mona Lisa Smile

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Mona Lisa Smile

PG-13

2003

1h 57m

Drama

Comedy

Romance

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Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

149 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.

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Critics Consensus

Though Mona Lisa Smile espouses the value of breaking barriers, the movie itself is predictable and safe.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 12, 2018

The cartoon notions of the '50s and snooty Easterners say more about Hollywood cluelessness than about the period the film condescends to...lacking the courage of its own vulgarity, Mona Lisa Smile is as tepid as old bathwater.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 20, 2017

Just what we need: a pyjama party posing as a movie.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 26, 2010

3/5

Glossy entertainment value but far from art.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

May 12, 2009

B-

Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal furnish well-observed performances that frequently outshine Julia Roberts's reflex characterization in this female variant of "Dead Poets Society."

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Film Threat

Dec 6, 2005

2/5

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Triston W

@Triston1 Jun 29, 2026

Idk why the ratings are so low this was fantastic and the cast is incredible

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Cassie C

@CassieAndCo Jun 25, 2026

I noticed like 98% of the bad reviews are males, or masculine names….. I hate this website and made an account just for this movie. It is phenomenal. Any man who thinks it is "pushing an agenda" is the literal reason women need movies like this.

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Algielyn E

@chielmace Jun 11, 2026

it touches my soul, I love it..

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Mathew V.

@RT64788879 May 30, 2026

Absolutely gorgeous flic! Not touched like this since Indian Summer!!

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Tavo D

@Tavo-Pavo Feb 5, 2026

What makes Mona Lisa Smile especially memorable is its emphasis on empowerment through education and self-confidence. It reminds viewers that success and fulfillment look different for everyone, and that true growth often comes from questioning what we’ve been taught to accept. Overall, Mona Lisa Smile is a meaningful, uplifting film that encourages reflection, independence, and the pursuit of one’s own voice.

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Apoorva T

@Apoorva Jan 30, 2026

Only thing hurt me; She, who chose Bill over Paul is educating other girls about life expectancy, future & smartness is LOL.

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Mike Newell

Director

Julia Roberts

Katherine Watson

Kirsten Dunst

Betty Warren

Julia Stiles

Joan Brandwyn

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Giselle Levy

Juliet Stevenson

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Synopsis

Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler, Paul Schiff
Screenwriter: Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Red Om Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Revolution Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Issues|Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $63.7M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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